If we want this nation to succeed, we can’t put facts up for dispute

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Regarding the July 3 news article “Fla. law lets residents question science lessons”: Our nation was built on the pursuit of knowledge, in which teachers and students are free to expand their curiosity, study and evaluate issues, including controversial ones. But facts cannot be disputed: gravity, evolution. What is taught as science in classrooms is important. If we expect to compete globally, students must be able to differentiate science from issues cloaked in the mantle of science, such as creationism and intelligent design. Instructional science materials must continue to reflect the evidence and rigorous data supported by scientists and scientific organizations that generate, test and evaluate ideas that contribute to our knowledge base.